Rebecca Evans Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Today, I have published the Energy Use in Wales (Third Edition) report, the latest update in our series of Energy Use in Wales reports. The report provides the most up-to-date reflection of our energy use, which we use to measure progress in Wales toward shaping and achieving our targets.
The report has shown positive trends in Wales. In 2022, Welsh energy consumption totalled 86 TWh, of which approximately 14 TWh (16%) was electricity. The total renewable electricity generation in Wales during the same year reached nearly 8 TWh, equivalent to 59% of Wales’ total electricity consumption. This means Wales is just 11 percentage points away from its target to generate 70% of its annual electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030.
In Wales, we are committed to doing all that we can to reach our renewable energy targets including our vision to meet the equivalent of 100% of our electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035 and for at least 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity to be locally owned by 2035.
We are in the midst of a climate change emergency and the signs are clear that unless we take urgent action, we will do irreparable harm to our planet.
It is now more important than ever that we seize the chance to remove our reliance on fossil fuels and Welsh Government are committed to meeting this challenge while promoting the growth in the green economy. The evidence is clear, we must make sure that we take this opportunity to create a sustainable future for this and future generations, whilst balancing the needs of our communities.